Australia's peak industry body for Sports Turf Management
Australia's peak industry body for Sports Turf Management
Current research indicates that around 1 in every 5, or 20% of Australians will experience some level of difficulty with mental health at some point in their life. Mental health is a general term that refers to a group of conditions and includes things such as eating disorders, anxiety and depression, and many more. Each person suffering a mental health issue, will likely experience these conditions differently, and they can significantly affect how a person feels, thinks, behaves, and interacts with other people at home, or in a workplace.
It’s important to note that not everyone living with these symptoms will be diagnosed as having a mental health issue. Your mental health is an important part of overall health and wellbeing. Good mental health will help you get through life’s challenges, maintain healthy relationships with friends, workmates and family and to enjoy life. Problems with mental health are common, and are not a sign of weakness. Quite the opposite is true, as it takes courage to admit there may be a problem, and ask for help. Mental health is like your diet, or your physical health – the earlier you get onto it, the better.
Our focus to support the sports turf management industry in continuing to develop experience and awareness of Mental health, we have developed a series of resources and webinars around the theme of skills and awareness of mental health and resilience in the workplace.
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The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association have worked with the Black Dog Institute to provide a range of information and resources available to the turf industry including a presentation relating to shared experiences, understanding symptoms and opportunities for assistance for yourself, or your team. The Black Dog Institute investigates mental health across lifespans, with an aim to create a mentally healthier world for everyone. This is being done through ‘translational’ research, integrating research studies, education programs, digital tools and apps, clinical services, and public resources to discover new solutions, foster connections and create real-world change. Sports Turf Managers are encouraged to download and use the resources below to assist in their self-care awareness and planning, and also to view the Mental Health: Developing Resilience presentation. These resources are provided free with the support of the ASTMA and Black Dog Institute, and can be shared with team members, family and friends. |
Mental Heath Information, Templates and Guides |
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Mental Health: Developing Resilience PresentationWith over 20 years’ experience in workplace mental health and wellbeing, Liz is a highly skilled facilitator and a registered occupational therapist. Over the last 12 years she has worked extensively with Beyond Blue helping to design, develop and deliver their National Workplace Program, content for the Heads-Up website and a dedicated mental health programme for staff at Ambulance Victoria. In this presentation, Liz talks through understanding mental health, common signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety, risk and protective factors, strategies to support positive mental health and discusses the range of available support. |
View Mental Health: Developing Resilience presentation |
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Self-Care PlanningThis Self-Care planning template relates to reflecting on what helps you feel better and putting some structure into your routine to ensure these protective activities are brought into your life regularly. It also helps us plan for situations, and prepare for bad days (that we all face now and again) so we can be better prepared to look after ourselves. |
Download Self-Care Planning Template |
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Five Ways to WellbeingThis is an evidence-based way of proactively looking after your mental health. It can be used in addition to the self-care planning or alternatively if it resonates with the individual it can be completed as a stand-alone review. Individuals can complete an audit on how they are looking after themselves in relation to 5 key areas: Connection, Giving, Taking Notice (mindfulness), Continual Learning, and Being Active. Turf managers can reflect on which areas they are succeeding in as well as they areas that deserve a bit more attention, and can be completed weekly or monthly to see how you are improving your mental health over time. |
Download Five Ways to Wellbeing Template
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Identifying Self-Care NeedsRemember that self-care extends far beyond your basic physical needs; consider your psychological, emotional, spiritual, social, financial, and workplace wellbeing to develop a complete understanding of areas that you may need to focus more time and energy on. Some common areas to ask yourself, are: What are you doing to support your overall well-being on a day-to-day basis? Do you engage in self-care practices now? Are you more active in some areas of self-care than others? This temaplte can be used to determine which areas may need to spend more time on, or more support in. |
Download Identifying Self-Care Needs Template
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HeadGear AppHeadGear is a free, easy-to-use app that guides you through a mental fitness challenge designed to build resilience and wellbeing. Based on techniques scientifically proven to build good mental health, it features a range of simple engaging daily activities to help reduce and manage stress, improve sleep, connect better with friends and deal with difficult situations. Please feel free to share this and all relevant resources with your team, family and friends so as to assist in the proactive management and prevention of mental illness. |
Download the free HeadGear App |
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Self-Care Planning during COVID-19Self-care is an important part of daily life, however during times of uncertainty and this unprecedented situation with COVID-19 the need for self-care is imperative. This Self-Care plannig guide covers a summary of what Self-care is, discusses how to develop and create a self-care plan, along with providing some personal planning templates that you can use to start planning for your self-care |
Download Self-Care Planning during COVID-19 |
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Mental Health and COVID-19With the current situation bought about due to COVID-19, the Association is here to support all those in the turf industry work through challenges during this difficult time and mental health resources have been made available to all sports turf managers. We have compiled helpful resources for you in the link below. |
Mental Health Support Related to COVID-19 |
A range of things can impact your mental and emotional wellbeing. For many, some of the common issues impacting mental health are:
Relationship problems, separation and divorce
Financial stress
Work-related pressures
Drug and alcohol use
Unemployment or retirement
Physical illness
Social isolation
Results of how these issues can affect people lives differ greatly, with many people living with mental health challenges experiencing times of homelessness, poverty, isolation, poor physical health, unemployment, and ridiculed or scorned as a result by those who may not know of the underlying mental health issue.
These potential outcomes all combine to significantly affect a person’s capacity to care for themselves, maintain relationships, interact with others and can impact their ability to maintain performance in workplaces, employment or education.
The good news is that many people can, and do, deal with mental health issues and maintain living full and meaningful lives, including work.
There are plenty of practical things you can do to help support your mental health:
Manage your diet - eat well
Exercise regularly
Dedicate time to spend with your friends and family
Ensure you are getting plenty of sleep
Be honest and open - talk about how you feel with people you trust
Make sure you spend some time doing activities that you enjoy
Dedicate some time to relax
If you, a workmate, or someone you know, has discussed their challenges with you, or is experiencing symptoms that you think may be a sign of mental illness, you should contact (or encourage them to contact) a general practitioner (GP). Often, discussions with a GP as the first step can begin the process to identifying potential mental health issues, and assistance can be arranged through a referral to a qualified mental health specialist. This can begin the work towards getting specialised care.
The ASTMA recognises the growing challenge that many in the industry are facing, similar to those in other employment sectors, and have provided this information to assist you, or workmates in starting the discussion around mental health awareness. In late 2018, in conjunction with State Associations, the ASTMA is in discussions currently with service providers, and will be providing National Mental Health roadshows, to help in raising the awareness of this issue amongst turf professionals, friends, their workmates or families.
The information about mental health disorders provided on this page is general in nature, and not meant to be fully comprehensive. Below is a list of mental health services that ASTMA members are encouraged to review and use, should they or someone they know potentially be suffering from a mental health issue.
More information on mental health and assistance is available at:
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Black Dog Institute
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Information on symptoms, treatment and prevention of depression and bipolar disorder. |
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Beyond Blue
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1300 22 4636 |
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beyondblue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live. |
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Headspace
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1800 650 890 |
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Free online and telephone service that supports young people aged between 12 and 25 and their families going through a tough time. |
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MensLine Australia
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1300 78 99 78 |
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A telephone and online support, information and referral service, helping men to deal with relationship problems in a practical and effective way. |
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SANE Australia
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1800 18 7263 |
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Information about mental illness, treatments, where to go for support and help carers. |
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Carers Australia
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1800 242 636 |
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Short-term counselling and emotional and psychological support services for carers and their families in each state and territory. |
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Lifeline
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13 11 14 |
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Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. |
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Headgear
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Headgear was developed by researchers at the University of Sydney, UNSW and The Black Dog Institute in partnership with beyondblue and with funds from Movember Foundation. |
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Moodgym
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moodgym is like an interactive self-help book which helps you to learn and practise skills which can help to prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety. |
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myCompass
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myCompass provides a personalised self-help program that you can use on your mobile phone, computer and/or tablet. Learn new ways to deal with thoughts, feelings and behaviours that cause your trouble. You will have a tool-kit of strategies to use when you need them |
